The NCAA ALL-STAR invites are going out now , so you know people are thinking about the 2015 draft now. Regular season performances, post-season performances, the salary cap, free agency, players leaving school early, players deciding to stay in school, injuries etc, can and will change the draft. Team needs and players' stock will rise and fall in the long months until the actual draft takes place. Predicting not only a draft but a draft order so far away is not easy, but our middle name is danger. NFL Player comparisons have been added .So next to each player is the NFL player we feel they will most resemble in their prime if they are a hit. I am watching a ton of tape right now, especially on running backs , and next week I will be putting up my top 75.The comp is for on the field play only ,and the higher they are ranked the more likely we think they will reach that comparison.
# Is for a player with with reported character or maturity concerns
** Is for a player with reported injury concerns
1.TAMPA BAY-#-JAMEIS WINSTON-QB-FLORIDA ST-NFL COMP-WARREN MOON-retired- The bucs have went back to Josh McCown as their starter. That is a clear sign they don't see Mike Glennon as their QB of the future. With Winston being a Florida guy, I could see there being plenty of pressure to take him, as long as he he has no more off the field incidents leading up to the draft. Lovie Smith is a players' coach who probably thinks he can reach and motivate Jameis. What he really needs is a QB guru on staff that Winston will listen to and learn from. Lets hope Lovie is right and he hires the right guy to bring Winston along. While I would take Mariota, I think the pressure to take a homegrown winner like Winston could influence ownership in to take the troubled but talented Jameis, over the less polished passer (but safer ) Mariota.
2.TENN-MARCUS MARIOTA-QB-OREGON-NFL COMP-RG3-WASH-retired-Despite his obvious talent, Zach Mettenburger's knee & back woes, and some off the field troubles made him free fall to the 6th round. They finally gave Zach a shot to see if he is the future, but they have so little an investment in him, As things stand it looks like they might end up with a record bad enough to have a shot at Mariota, so Zach better start pouring it in soon or he will be pushed aside, because if he falls into their lap they will probably take him. Mariota is the clear cut # 1 QB due to his season long improvements, excellent character, and Winstons off the field issues & second half of the season on the field woes. If Ken Whisenhunt can hire a guy to not only tutor Marcus, but also someone who can tailor an offense to meet the skills he already possesses , the Titans could in the playoffs his rookie year.
3.JACKSONVILLE-**-BRANDON SCHERFF-IOWA-NFL COMP-JOE STALEY-SF-While they drafted pretty well for the long term this year, their choices didn't exactly scream win now. A project QB in the first round and a injured CB in the 4th makes this season less likely to end well. With those two possibly red-shirting, and the plan being to start the underwhelming Chad Henne behind a bad O-line for at least half the season, this year looked like a lost cause already. However, after 3 weeks of bad offense the Jags decided to throw Blake Bortles into the fire, ready or not. While Blake is a big tough guy with mobility, he is still behind a bad O-line. 2013 #2 overall pick Luke Joeckel hasn't quite lived up to his draft status yet, but there is still plenty of time for that. Early on Scherff was slowed by an injury he came back from too quickly, but the attitude he plays with could help this entire team step forward. The top 3 pre-season OT's have all had their miscues this season, but Scherff is the only one with a legit reason to explain it. Plus, he has improved as he has gotten healthier. I expect whichever OT is the consensus #1 after the senior bowl will go here, but Scherff is the safest of them all, and he has the best technique. At the very least he will be a long term starter at one tackle spot A mauler like him has the kind of attitude that can infect an entire O-line.
4.NYJ-**- RANDY GREGORY-DE/OLB-NEBRASKA-SIMEON RICE-retired-The Jets badly need a QB. However, Mariota and Winston are the only two QB's that could end up top 5 picks. After QB their number one need is corner, but there also aren't any corners worth this high a pick. No matter who the coach is next season a player that can help the pass rush whether they run a 3-4 or 4-3 will be needed. A better rush from the edge will also help any corners on the roster.Gregory has an ideal frame with long arms, and he is agile enough to rush off the edge in a 3-4 or 4-3. Once that frame is filled out with another 20 to 30 pounds of muscle, he can be even better.
6.WASHINGTON- SHANE RAY-OLB/DE-MIZZ- NFL COMP-CLAY MATTHEWS-GB--If Brian Orapko could stay healthy all year, the 'Skins would probably have payed him, but he is out for the year again. . If RG3 returns to form this offense is dangerous, but I'll believe in this defense only after I see them produce. Their secondary is the main question right now, but nothing makes a secondary better quickly than a good pass rush, and there is no secondary player worth this high of a pick. The offensive line could also use a boost.Ray didn't get as much spotlight as the steady Kony Ealy or media creation Michael Sam last season. He did however make a lot of plays as an edge rusher. Now he has a chance to shine in the spotlight, has been a far better player than either, and he has a relentless motor. He is fast off the ball, closes really well, and his best position in the pro's is as a rush backer.
7.NYG-SHAQ THOMPSON-OLB/RB-WASHINGTON-NFL COMP-THOMAS DAVIS-CAR-The giants have consistently lacked play-makers at LB for the last few years, especially against the pass. Thompson is a play-making former safety who flies to the ball all over the field. The scary thing is ,in addition to being an obvious first round pick as a weak-side backer,he looks like a first round running back as well.
8.CAROLINA-RONNIE STANLEY-OT-N.DAME-NFL COMP-DUANE BROWN-HOU-Jordan Gross retiring seems to have caught the Panthers by surprise, and they didn't do much to remedy it in the draft. Their plan to move Byron Bell to the left side smacks of desperation to me. Their other option is converted former TE /DT Nate Chandler. He is a great athlete , but they are counting on him to make a Jason Peters-like jump up this year. Maybe they are right and both are undiscovered studs, but that seems like two huge gambles to base the health of your franchise QB. Even a physical specimen like Newton can only take so many hits and I wouldn't be surprised if he gets hurt this season. He is already coming off a rebuilt ankle this off-season. He also recently suffered a fractured rib in the pre-season. At least they made a concerted effort to get him a better(or at least more reliable and supportive) receiving core, but at this point a healthy Steve Smith is still better than anyone they now have. In 2013 Stanley was the right tackle at N, Dame, and played very well.,but he has made the transition over to the left side this year with good results. In fact he has been improving as the year goes along, You can bet your ass that Newton would be happy to know Stanley was on his blind side.
9.CHICAGO-LANDON COLLINS-S-ALABAMA-NFL COMP-HARRISON SMITH-N.DAME- The Bears and the Cowboys both desperately needed safeties this year. Both teams had their pick of the litter and both teams passed. Other(some might might say smarter) teams snatched up all four universally high rated safeties in the first round. They did draft the versatile Kyle Fuller with their first pick, and he is big, smart, and physical enough to play safety if necessary. Although that's not Fuller's best position. Peanut Tillman is 33, he just re-injured his triceps , and was put on IR again. They also drafted Brock Vereen in round 4, but even if he works out that's just one safety spot filled. Collins is a complete safety that could stabilize this secondary. Adding him to Kyle Fuller alone would give them a strong foundation on the back end for 7 to 10 years.
10.ATLANTA-VICTOR BEASLEY-OLB/DE-CLEMSON-NFL-COMP-VON MILLER-DENV--Atlanta is in a rebuilding year, and any hope of it being a quick turnaround probably ended when both Sean Weatherspoon and Sam Baker went down for the year. Despite it being the second largest need on their team, the Falcons waited until the 4th round to draft an edge rusher. Adding Jake Matthews and Jon Asamoah to their O-line is an improvement, despite the loss of Baker, but a replacement OT for him and his cap number is also a possibility. Beasley has been a highly productive pass rusher two years running ,and he has the agility to also drop into coverage when needed. While his best position is as 3-4 rush backer , he needs to add some weight to play as a 4-3 DE in all but obvious passing situations.
11.MINNESOTA-DEVANTE PARKER-WR-LVILLE-NFL COMP-DEZ BRYANT-DALL- If Teddy Bridgewater had begun the season as the starting QB , and Adrian Peterson hadn't been put on paid leave, the Vikings had a chance to compete for a playoff spot. Cordarelle Patterson is a great athlete and weapon, but polished #1 receiver he is not, and probably never will be . Greg Jennings has fallen off a tick and is now more of a polished # 2 receiver, but he is currently paid like a #1. The Vikings could give Teddy a familiar down field threat in his college go to guy in Parker. This is a receiver Teddy can just depend on to come down with the ball even when he's covered, save a pile of money on Jennings, and acquire a potential # 1 receiver.
12.RAMS-CONNOR COOK-QB-MICHIGAN ST-NFL COMP-MATT RYAN-ATL- I was planning on picking the rams to make the playoffs this year but Sam Bradford got hurt ... AGAIN. Sorry Sam, I have stood up for you time after time, but maybe you really can't stay healthy. So now they NEED to draft a QB. They should also dump the ultra, stone-age, predictable offense that OC Brian Schottenheimer likes to run. Cook has the size and arm strength NFL teams crave, and is clean off the field the way Jeff Fisher will demand after the Vince Young saga.
13.HOUSTON-LA'EL COLLINS-T/G-LSU-NFL COMP-MARSHALL YANDA-BALT-retired-They really need a QB, but I doubt there is one they want left at this point in the draft. However, they do need a right tackle to replace Derek Newton (better fit at guard) and give whoever plays QB a fair chance to succeed. Bill O'Brien scheme isn't as zone heavy and a big nasty RT that will bury people could be just what the doctor ordered. His aggressive attitude would also make any coach , RB, fellow line-mates, and QB happy.
14.CLEVELAND-AMARI COOPER-WR-ALA-NFL COMP-REGGIE WAYNE-INDY-Even if Josh Gordon comes back his actions have shown that smoking weed is more important to him than football. I actually would have picked them to win 9 games this year if Josh hadn't decided to fail ANOTHER drug test. Even after his most recent failed test he got pulled over in a car that had a passenger carrying weed and that reportedly smelled like weed. Anything he gives the team would just be a bonus. Personally, I think they should draft 2 receivers in the first 3 rounds just to be safe. Miles Austin is a hamstring pull away from the sideline ,and Andrew Hawkins is an undersized slot guy. Maybe they will play Justin Gilbert on offense this season. Cooper is a polished receiver who always seems to be open,has great timing ,plays bigger than he is, and he can make things happen after the catch.
15.CLEVELAND-(buffalo)-GEROD HOLLIMAN-S-LOUISVILLE-NFL COMP-DARREN SHARPER-retired-Bringing in Veteran Donte Whitner to replace TJ Ward is just a band-aid, and a downgrade at safety. Whitner is a fierce hitter, but he misses too many tackles and doesn't provide enough in coverage to be a long term solution. Holiman does all that Whitner does in coverage, has blazing speed for a safety, is a good tackler, and he can deliver some big hits too. He is a former corner that has taken to fre safety like a duck to water. After picking off Jameis Winston twice any worries about his numbers being inflated due to lesser competition have gone by the wayside. Has already tied the FBS single season record with 14 picks this season.He's a center-fielder type, and lacks the versatility of Landon Collins, but he is also a superior play-maker.
16.PITTSBURGH-KEVIN JOHNSON-CB-W. FOREST-NFL COMP-TRAMON WILLIAMS-GB-Since Plaxico Burress left after his rookie season, Ben Roethlesberger has wanted another big wide receiver. With Martavis Bryant finally filing that spot the Steelers can concentrate on their defense. Long tome stalwart corner Ike Taylor will be a free agent again after this year, and while he hasn't played great he has been a lot better than Cortez Allen. The problem is they just gave Allen a new free agent contract last year, and they can't afford to cut him. So they need a cheap infusion of high level corner talent. Johnson could be that guy. He is the safest of all the taller corners right now, and plays more physical than his lean frame would suggest.
17. CHEIFS-KEVIN WHITE-WR-W.VIRGINIA-NFL COMP-ALSHON JEFFERY-CHI-I doubt The Chiefs front office began last off season by saying " Hey, why don't we lose our three best O-Lineman in free agency and then just up and cut our 28 year old former pro bowl corner back after OTA's! ". That's what happened though. Flowers didn't have his best season, although he was playing hurt , but he finished strong. When they were seeking to trade him before the draft we knew something was up. Anyway I think there is more we don't know about this. It can't be just his height, although I guess saving 5 million off the cap helps plenty when you feel a guy no longer fits your scheme. I feel that a tough schedule and all these changes mean a down season for the Chiefs and possibly an even bigger change because of it. Dwayne Bowe is the # 1 receiver on this team and his best skill is his blocking.
18.MIAMI-TEVIN COLEMAN-RB-IND-NFL COMP-MARCUS ALLEN- retired-Moreno, Brown, and James are all going to be free agents at RB for the Dolphins this off season. With Lamar Miller playing his best in a tandem another RB needs to be added. Todd Gurleys injury clears up any doubts about who the number one running back in this draft is now. I hadn't broken down any of the juniors film until the Ohio state game drove home just how good he is. After that I knew he was going to come out this year. I have only watched 5 tapes of his so far this year, including his best & worst games against high level talent ( MIZZ,Mich,st, Mich,Penn St., and Michigan,) but I have a feeling his grade will stay put or will go up even higher when I'm done watching them all. I hate to do this to the kid, but he does remind me of Marcus Allen. He's tall, looks lean ,runs high. but runs with enough power that people bounce off him sometimes. He looks like a long strider that lacks elite speed ,but regularly breaks long runs. He's a solid blocker & receiver. Has a good jump cut, spin move and great vision.It just seems like he always comes up with a big play, even though you know he's getting the ball, and it looks like he always falls forward for more yards.Put him in a one cut and go zone scheme and he would probably be rookie of the year. Against Ohio state Coleman had 27 carries for 228 yards and 3 TD's. Gordon had 26 carries for 76 yards and no TD's, on better team! That puts Coleman ahead of Gordon in my book. I liked Gurley a little more, but with Todd's injury removing him from the first round in my book, he is the most compete back left in the draft I've broken down this year.
19.SAN FRANCISCO-#-SHAWN OAKMAN-DE/DT-BAYLOR-NFL COMP-CALAIS CAMPBELL-AZ-- Unless a big corner finds a way to separate himself from the pack the Niners will probably go another direction in the first round. A good pass rush always makes corners look better. Oakman is a tall, long armed, physical specimen with a prototypical frame for a 5 technique. He could easily put on 20 pounds without affecting his skills much, and bulking up would allow him to also kick inside as a DT in nickel . If he plays with a little more leverage against the run, and develops a few more pass rush moves he could be atop 10 pick. A elite pass rush from a 5 technique is rare, but he has the tools to be one of the few to pull it off. A lot of people see him as a 4-3 end, but I think he lacks the first step of an elite edge rusher. With longtime standouts Justin Smith and Ray McDonald getting older by the day,a infusion of youth would help them continue the tradition of excellence that Tank Carradine has so far failed to live up to.
20.ARIZONA-DANTE FOWLER-DE-FLORIDA-NFL COMP-ANTHONY SPENCER-DALL--Drew Stanton looked pretty good as a fill in earlier in the season, even leading the Cards to a 2-1 and record as the starter, but once Carson Palmer was confirmed out for the year things seemed to have changed. Maybe the pressure of being the man got to him, because he looked terrible against Seattle, and I now doubt they even make the playoffs with Stanton as their QB. The probable retirement of John Abraham after another concussion has only exacerbated their need at OLB. The cards need an edge rusher that is fluid and quick enough to drop into coverage as a 3-4 OLB. Dante could be that guy .He has had back-to-back good seasons in the SEC, and his motor and versatility will come in hand.
21.SAINTS-DANIELLE HUNTER-DE-LSU-NFL COMP-JASON TAYLOR-retired -The saints pass rush has let them down this year. They want to run at least a hybrid 3-4 and to do that they need someone on the edge besides Junior Galette who can get to the QB. This makes Cam Jordan more valuable as well, because he is a much better player inside or as 3-4 end. The lanku Hunter has the athleticism to play OLB in the Saints 3-4, and bolster their pass rush. He also has a large enough frame to add a little weight so he can play DE when they go to an even front. Also, Jahri Evans is no longer worth his high salary, and has been giving up pressure right down the middle. If he doesn't take a pay-cut he could be gone and a new guard to protect Drew Brees could be their top priority in the Bayou.
22.CHARGERS-AJ CANN-OG-S.CAROLINA-NFL COMP-BEN GRUBBS-BALT-The loss of veteran center Nick Hardwick is patently obvious to anyone watching the Chargers play. What they need is a guy who can play both guard at center at a high level, I think Cann is that guy. AJ is the best pure guard in this draft. His football IQ and character would help solidify the interior of the chargers line for a long time He could start at guard while learning the center position, and then when Hardwick is ready to hang em up(or he gets hurt again), Cann could slide over. Even if he stayed at guard it would be a upgrade at one of their guard spots.It SHOULD be an offensive lineman, but if its not Melvin Gordon would fill a big need.
23.DETROIT-EDDIE GOLDMAN-DT-FLA.ST-NFL COMP-MARCEL DAREUS -BUFF--Nick Fairley has shown at times that he is a pro bowl caliber talent, but he has lacks the consistent work ethic for the Lions to trust him with a big contract. They already declined his 2015 option and since they need to pay Suh very soon they probably couldn't afford him anyway. However, Suh want so much much money that I now doubt they can afford him. If Suh gets the 15 plus million a year contract he wants the Lions will have 3 (Suh, Megatron, Stafford) players that average over 15 million a year on their cap. That has already made it very hard to miantain a winning ream under the cap. In that case they could resign the much cheaper Fairley at the 3 technique ,and draft someone who can play the one tech. Goldman is force inside and might even be quick enough to play the both sides ,and give the Lions flexibility to upgrade whatever side they prefer in other areas.
24.BENGALS-#-DANNY SHELTON-DT-WASH-NFL COMP-DONTARI POE-DT-KC- With 30 year old Domata Peko on the decline and 3 year veteran Devon Still not progressing inside the Bengals need some who can stuff thee run on the interior of the D-Line. Shelton cannot only stuff the run he can also help with the pass rush next to Geno Atkins.
25.BALTIMORE-IFO EKPRE-ORE-OLUMU-NFL COMP-BRENT GRIMES-MIA-Lardarius Webb has declined for two straight seasons ,will be 30 years-old in 2015, and his salary goes up to a cap busting twelve million dollars as well. Olumu was clearly the best corner in last years draft technique-wise, but chose to return to school for his senior year, and hasn't played quite as well. Like Jason Verret last year his size probably limits him to being drafted outside the top 15 picks.With today's pass happy NFL a guy who excels in the slot is a must , and Ifo is at least a slot corner as a rookie. .
26.SEATTLE-MARIO EDWARDS-DE/DT-FLA.ST-NFL COMP-JUSTIN SMITH-SF-The sea-hawks are showing a lot of the signs of a team that misses the playoffs a year after winning the Superbowl.From Players leaving in free agency , cut because of the cap , others getting huge contracts, divorces, commercials, holdouts, a hard schedule in the toughest division in football where every other team got better, fame and it's trappings, etc.... but they still have a very talented roster with some great leaders, So while I won't pick them to win it all , I definitely still see them as a contender. After their confusing draft was added in to the mix, I wouldn't even pick them to repeat as champs in the NFC west, except San Francisco's corners are suspect. and Aldon Smith & Navarro Bowman are likely to miss the first half of the season. Without home-field advantage in the playoffs I think the Superbowl is out, but they may yet win the division. In 3 years their 4th,5th and ,6th round draft picks may be stars in typical Seahawks fashion but they need depth now. They over-drafted injury prone Justin Britt this year ,but did little else to help the O-line. Next year they are probably going to lose some key players. because you can't pay everybody and Russell Wilson is next at the pay window, A real QB contract should keep them from also paying Cliff Avril, KJ Wright,Malcolm Smith, and Byron Maxwell. At the very least they will lose 2 out of those 4. Shockingly the main reason for the Seattle defense falling off this year is a lack of pass rush. Losing the likely to be expensive Avril will only make things worse. Since the hawks have had more trouble getting an inside rush I expect they go with an inside player if there is one of equal value .Edwards is a much better fit inside as a 4-3 DT , or a 3-4 DE. He could also be the replacement for the more expensive and injured Brandon Mebane.
27.EAGLES-**-TRAE WAYNES-CB-MICH ST-NFL COMP-DOMINIQUE RODGERS-CROMARTIE-NYG-Chip Kelly likes versatile tall guys with long arms on defense, and that describes Waynes. Neither Bradley Fletcher or Cary Williams has become the # 1 corner that matches up with an opposing teams top receiver , and can be expected to man him up with success. Waynes plays corner at a high level in a good conference, but he needs to get stronger and play with a little more discipline.
29.DALLAS-**-CEDRICK OGBUEHI-OT-TEXAS A&M-NFL COMP-TYRON SMITH-DALL-Dallas has the best offensive line in the league right now, but free agency could start to tear apart what they have so recently built. Even with thirty year old right tackle Doug free in the mix the average age of the line is 25.4 years. Free is a free agent after this year , and last time he was given a big contract extension his play went downhill. Maybe that wouldn't happen this time, but unless Free is willing to give a large hometown discount they can't afford him. A 30 year old above average right tackle could get somewhere in the neighborhood of a 5 year 30 to 40 million dollar deal , with half that guaranteed. Last time they paid Free well his play fell off. Free only returned to form after he was moved to the right side and he took a pay cut . Throw in that Dallas has a bad cap situation, Dez Bryant is due a big deal , and Rolando McClain could be due a decent raise as well. Add that backup swing tackle Jermey Parnell is also a free agent. While maybe he isn't a guy proven enough to turn over the job to on a line this good, he has played well enough in fill in duty that someone will pay him at least low level starter money next year. That makes right tackle the number one priority for Dallas. .Dallas and Baltimore have begun a new type of zone blocking revolution ,by running the scheme with bigger lineman. Ogbuehi is a great athlete for an OT. He has the frame to carry 315 plus pounds of muscle , and still look like a giant TE, just like (Tyron Smith) the player he reminds me of. Cedrick's struggles are due to a lack of football IQ, not talent. When he is confident in who he is blocking it's pretty much over for them. Putting him next to a guy with a high football IQ like Zach Martin is exactly what he needs to develop into a high level NFL starter.
30.PATRIOTS-#-DORIAL GREEN-BECKHAM-WR-OKLAHOMA-NFL COMP-RANDY MOSS-retired-This guy is the closest thing to Randy Moss to come into the draft in a while. However, he also has a laundry list of off the field problems like Moss did when he came out of school, and I bet some teams won't even put him on their board. Belichick has shown a willingness to take chances on great talents when they fall down the draft board, just like oft-injured 1rst round pick Dominique Easley this year. With Brady desperately needing play makers on offense this pick would go along way toward healing the rift Billy has created.
31.GREEN BAY- TJ CLEMMINGS-OT-PITT-NFL COMP-JASON PETERS-PHIL - A&M-A long term replacement for the perennially injured Brian Bulaga couldn't hurt, or an upgrade for the under powered David Bakhtiari. Since Chad Clifton started to go downhill the Pack has lacked an OT that can play at high level and stay healthy. Derek Sherrod has been such a bust that I feared for Rodgers safety every-time Sherrod played.Thank GOD they finally cut him. Bulaga is a free agent after this season , and while he is a good player, I can't see the packers paying someone that injury prone the money he could get in free agency. Clemmings is a great athlete for a OT with huge upside, and has the tools to play the left side if needed. No matter where they play him he could help stabilize the line , and help protect the most valuable QB in the NFL.
32.DENVER-ERIC KENDRICKS-LB-UCLA-NFL COMP- LAWRENCE TIMMONS-PITT-The only real weakness on the broncos roster is their line-backing core, and injuries have made it even worse. Kendricks has the tool set to play all 3 positions in the broncos 4-3 , but he probably fits best at MLB if he bulks up a little, or on the weak-side. The main reason I have him going in the first round then he can cover. In today's pass happy NFL that makes him invaluable.
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